New Strategies to Stabilize Silicon and Germanium in Low Oxidation States
Prof. Dr. Eric Rivard
University of Alberta, Edmonton
Department of Chemistry
In this presentation, a series of sterically hindered N-heterocyclic olefin (NHO) ligands and their anionic counterparts will be discussed. Focus will be given to the preparation of a stable divinylgermylene (R2Ge) featuring anionic NHO ligands, and the very recent synthesis of rare two-coordinate acyclic silylenes (R2Si) and their ability to activate small molecules. Time permitting, the bulkiest NHC to date will be described, as well as the use of intramolecular Frustrated Lewis Pair ligands to coordinate reactive main group hydrides (EH2; E = group 14 element).